The artificial intelligence from the United States, created in the wake of Australia's horror fire in early 2020, could help fight the country's bushfires.

Although the advanced technology is still in its trial phase, it may soon be used nationwide.

Artificial Intelligence Can Help Australia's Fire

The technology was developed by the California-based company Salo Sciences and was brought to Australia by Andrew Forest's Minderoo Foundation. The transfer was bankrolled by the foundation for $70 million, according to 9News.

Artificial intelligence processes the information from satellite images, converting them into high-quality maps that show where there is a fire risk.

Xailient is a company that deployed their Edge AI algorithm with Palantir's Meta-Constellation system to detect wildfire indicators from satellite imagery. 

Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative CEP Adria Turner said that artificial intelligence is cutting-edge technology. He said they want to make sure that fires do not become bushfire disasters.

Peter McKechnie, the RFS's Deputy Commissioner, said that the technology would allow experts to understand better the fuels that drive the bushfires.

Also Read: Man Saves House From Deadly Bushfire With The Help Of Smart Home Sprinklers

McKechnie said they are preparing themselves for when they have to fight the bushfire, similar to what they experienced in 2020.

Although they do not want anything to happen, they understand that it is a possibility since they live in a place with that ever-present risk.

David Marvin, the CEO of Salo Sciences, said that artificial intelligence allows fire officials to look under the vegetation layer. He said that it is important because they can tend to it immediately when the fire starts to prevent it from growing even more.

Duffy's Forest on Sydney's Northern Beaches and other areas with 70,000 sq km is part of the trial.

Artificial Intelligence Used on Australia's Bugs

Aside from the bushfires that frequently happen in the country, artificial intelligence is also being used to combat one of its existing issues: bugs.

According to Siasat Daily, researchers from Australia's national science agency have created an app powered by artificial intelligence to keep stink bugs out of the country.

The app was developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization or CSIRO for Australia's federal government. It uses artificial intelligence to help officials identify stink bugs before entering the environment.

According to Xinhua News, artificial intelligence is being trialed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment or DAWE at several quarantine stations.

Taxonomist Alexander-Schmid-Lebuhn said that artificial intelligence used the insect database of CSIRO to identify the stink bug. He said that they are taking detailed digital images of the stink bugs in their insect collection, and they are also using a 3D imaging system to take photographs from several angles.

Using a smartphone camera to zoom in or out and look at the stink bug from different angles, the artificial model in the app identifies the species and shows how likely it is to be correct.

The app also has profiles of species with example images and species information. Users can record a picture of the bug, its identification, geographic coordinates, and local time to help build out the database and inform biosecurity responses.

Australia has around 600 identified stink bug species, but the brown marmorated stink bug is the one that could threaten 300 native plant species if it enters the country. It can also threaten the country's stone fruit, hazelnut, apples, and grain crops.

The 2020 Australian bushfire has affected millions of wildlife. This ended with companies like Facebook donating to Australia to help them recover from the effects of the incident.

Months after the bushfire, Australia used drones to spot areas at risk of catching fire.

Related Article: Australian Researchers Develop Camera, Now Blasted Into Space, To Track Great Barrier Reef

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Written by Sophie Webster

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